U.S. patent application number 11/249131 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-10 for support assemblies for pipes, conduits and tubes.
Invention is credited to James William Tjerrild.
Application Number | 20060178246 11/249131 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46322891 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060178246 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tjerrild; James William |
August 10, 2006 |
Support assemblies for pipes, conduits and tubes
Abstract
Wall-mounted type and trapeze type support strut assemblies
attach pipes, conduit, and tubes to vertical and horizontal
surfaces in a sanitary manner. The strut assemblies repel
contaminants, are easy to inspect, and easy to clean. Structures to
provide seismic stability to trapeze type support strut assemblies
may also be used.
Inventors: |
Tjerrild; James William;
(Fresno, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAYNES BEFFEL & WOLFELD LLP
P O BOX 366
HALF MOON BAY
CA
94019
US
|
Family ID: |
46322891 |
Appl. No.: |
11/249131 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11053216 |
Feb 8, 2005 |
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11249131 |
Oct 12, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/24 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L 3/133 20130101;
F16L 3/227 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/024 |
International
Class: |
A63B 7/02 20060101
A63B007/02 |
Claims
1. A support assembly for mounting to an upright support
comprising: a strut having a central section and first and second
end parts; the end parts extending from the central section at
angles between 100.degree. and 130.degree.; an upright support
fastener assembly, secured to the first end part, comprising: an
anchor engaging the first end part and engageable with an upright
support; and a spacer positionable between the first end part and
the upright support, the spacer having no horizontally oriented
surfaces; and a supported element fastener assembly securable to
the second end part and to a supported element; whereby the support
assembly enhances sanitation by effectively eliminating horizontal
surfaces and by spacing the strut away from the upright
support.
2. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the end parts extend
from the central section in generally opposite directions.
3. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the anchor comprises a
threaded nut and bolt assembly and the spacer comprises a
cylindrical sleeve.
4. The assembly according to claim 1 wherein the first end part has
a main portion to which the anchor is securable and a secondary,
outer portion extending from the main portion at an angle of
between 30.degree. and 60.degree..
5. An upright support installation comprising: an upright support;
a supported element; and a support assembly, securing the supported
element to the upright support, comprising: a strut having a
central section and first and second end parts; an upright support
fastener assembly, secured to the first end part, comprising: an
anchor securing the first end part to the upright support; and a
spacer positioned between the first end part and the upright
support; and a supported element fastener assembly securing the
supported element to the second end part; the support assembly
having at least substantially no horizontally oriented surfaces;
and the central section extending at an angle to horizontal of
between 10.degree. and 40.degree. and the end parts extending from
the central section at angles between 100.degree. and 130.degree.;
whereby the support assembly enhances sanitation by effectively
eliminating horizontal surfaces and by spacing the strut away from
the upright support.
6. The installation according to claim 5 wherein a vertical wall
constitutes the upright support and the supported element comprises
a generally cylindrical structure.
7. The installation according to claim 5 wherein the central
section extends downwardly and outwardly from the first end
part.
8. The installation according to claim 5 wherein the strut has no
unused holes opening into the ambient air environment.
9. A method for mounting a supported element to an upright support
comprising: selecting a support assembly comprising: a strut having
a central section and first and second end parts extending from the
central section; an upright support fastener assembly, securable to
the first end part, comprising: an anchor engageable with the first
end part and with an upright support; and a spacer positionable
between the first end part and the upright support; and a supported
element fastener assembly securable to the second end part;
mounting the first end part of the strut to the upright support
using the upright support fastener assembly; securing the supported
element to the second end part of the strut; and enhancing
sanitation by: effectively eliminating horizontal surfaces; and by
spacing the strut away from the upright support with the
spacer.
10. The method according to claim 9 wherein the enhancing
sanitation step further comprises minimizing any exposed threaded
surfaces.
11. The method according to claim 9 wherein the enhancing
sanitation step further comprises eliminating any unused holes in
the strut.
12. A trapeze type support assembly for mounting to an overhead
support comprising: a strut having a base, the base having an upper
surface and a lower surface, the strut also having first and second
legs extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower surface of
the base at angles of more than 180.degree. from the upper surface;
a support bracket assembly, secured to the base, comprising: a
bracket engageable with an overhead support; and a hangar element
supported by the bracket and extending from the bracket to the base
with the hangar element secured to the base, the hangar element
having a smooth surface between the bracket and the base; and a
supported element fastener assembly securable to the base so to
secure a supported element to the upper surface of the base of the
strut; whereby the support assembly enhances sanitation by
effectively eliminating any upwardly-facing, contaminant-collecting
trough in the strut and by effectively eliminating
contaminant-collecting threaded surfaces on the hangar rod between
the bracket and the base.
13. The assembly according to claim 12 wherein the bracket is an
L-shaped bracket and the hangar rod has threaded ends.
14. The assembly according to claim 12 wherein the support bracket
assembly comprises: a seismic adapter securing the hangar element
to the base; and first and second lateral support members secure to
the seismic adapter at an acute angle to horizontal, the lateral
support members having distal ends secured to a building support
member so to provide seismic stability to the strut, the lateral
support members also having smooth outer surfaces to enhance
sanitation.
15. The assembly according to claim 14 wherein the seismic adapter
comprises a vertical adapter comprising a generally cylindrical
main body having a threaded bore formed therein for attachment of
the hangar element to the main body.
16. The assembly according to claim 15 wherein the seismic adapter
comprises lugs extending from the main body and lateral adapters
secured to the lugs at pivot points, the lateral support members
secured to the lateral adapters.
17. A trapeze type support installation comprising: an overhead
support; a supported element; and a trapeze type support assembly,
suspending the supported element from the overhead support,
comprising: a strut having a base, the base having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the strut also having first and second legs
extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower surface of the
base at angles of more than 180.degree. from the upper surface; a
support bracket assembly, secured to the base, comprising: a
bracket secured to the overhead support; and a hangar element
supported by the bracket and extending from the bracket to the base
with the hangar element secured to the base, the hangar element
having a smooth surface between the bracket and the base; and a
supported element fastener assembly securing the supported element
to the upper surface of the base of the strut; whereby the support
assembly enhances sanitation by effectively eliminating any
upwardly-facing, contaminant-collecting trough in the strut and by
effectively eliminating contaminant-collecting threaded surfaces on
the hangar rod between the bracket and the base.
18. A method for mounting a supported element to an overhead
support comprising: selecting a trapeze type support assembly
comprising: a strut having a base, the base having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the strut also having first and second legs
extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower surface of the
base at angles of more than 180.degree. from the upper surface; a
support bracket assembly, secured to the base, comprising: a
bracket engageable with an overhead support; and a hangar element
supported by the bracket and extending from the bracket to the base
with the hangar element secured to the base, the hangar element
having a smooth surface between the bracket and the base; and a
supported element fastener assembly securable to the base so to
secure a supported element to the upper surface of the base of the
strut; suspending the strut from the overhead support with the
bracket secured to the overhead support and of the hangar rod
connecting the strut to the bracket; securing the supported element
to the upper surface of the base of the strut using the supported
element fastener assembly; and enhancing sanitation by: effectively
eliminating any upwardly-facing, contaminant-collecting trough in
the strut; and by effectively eliminating contaminant-collecting
threaded surfaces on the hangar rod between the bracket and the
base.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein the enhancing
sanitation step further comprises eliminating any unused holes in
the strut.
20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the support assembly
selecting step comprises selecting a support bracket assembly
comprising a seismic adapter securing the hangar element to the
base and first and second lateral support members secured to the
seismic adapter at an acute angle to horizontal, the lateral
support members having distal ends, the lateral support members
also having smooth outer surfaces to enhance sanitation; and
further comprising seismically supporting the strut by securing the
distal ends of the lateral support members to a building support
member.
21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the support bracket
assembly selecting step comprises pivotally mounting the lateral
support members to the main body.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation in part patent application of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 11/053,216 filed 8 Feb. 2005 entitled
Sanitary Pipe Mounting System, Attorney Docket number PDI
1001-1.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention is intended to be used, for example,
in food processing and pharmaceutical processing facilities to
improve the inspectability and cleanability of pipe, conduit, and
tube installations. Currently, these facilities are forced to use
conventional mounting systems to install pipe, conduit, and tube.
The conventional mounting systems are inherently dirty. Also, the
conventional mounting systems are exceedingly difficult to inspect
and clean.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention is directed to a system for mounting pipe,
conduit, and tube in, for example, food grade or pharmaceutical
grade installations. The invention is designed such that it resists
contamination, is easy to inspect, and is easy to clean.
[0005] A first aspect of the invention is directed to a support
assembly for mounting to an upright support, such as a wall. The
assembly comprises a strut having a central section and first and
second end parts. The end parts extend from the central section at
angles between 100.degree. and 130.degree.. The support assembly
also comprises an upright support fastener assembly, secured to the
first end part, comprising: an anchor engaging the first end part
and engageable with an upright support; and a spacer positionable
between the first end part and the upright support, the spacer
having no horizontally oriented surfaces. The support assembly
further includes a supported element fastener assembly securable to
the second end part and to a supported element. The support
assembly enhances sanitation by effectively eliminating horizontal
surfaces and by spacing the strut away from the upright support. In
some embodiments the strut has no unused holes opening into the
ambient environment.
[0006] A second aspect of the invention is directed to a method for
mounting a supported element to an upright support. A support
assembly is selected. The support assembly includes a strut, having
a central section and first and second end parts extending from the
central section, and an upright support fastener assembly,
securable to the first end part. The upright support fastener
assembly includes an anchor, engageable with the first end part and
with an upright support, and a spacer positionable between the
first end part and the upright support. The support assembly also
includes a supported element fastener assembly securable to the
second end part. The first end part of the strut is mounted to the
upright support using the upright support fastener assembly. The
supported element is secured to the second end part of the strut.
Sanitation is enhanced by effectively eliminating horizontal
surfaces and by spacing the strut away from the upright support
with the spacer. In some embodiments enhancing sanitation may
include minimizing any exposed threaded surfaces. In some
embodiments enhancing sanitation may include eliminating any unused
holes in the strut.
[0007] A third aspect of the invention is directed to a trapeze
type support assembly for mounting to an overhead support. The
trapeze type support assembly includes a strut, a support bracket
assembly and a supported element fastener assembly. The strut has a
base, the base having an upper surface and a lower surface. The
strut also has first and second legs extending downwardly and
outwardly from the lower surface of the base at angles of more than
180.degree. from the upper surface. The support bracket assembly is
secured to the base and comprises a bracket, engageable with an
overhead support, and a hangar element, supported by the bracket
and extending from the bracket to the base with the hangar element
secured to the base, the hangar element having a smooth surface
between the bracket and the base. The supported element fastener
assembly is securable to the base so to secure a supported element
to the upper surface of the base of the strut. The support assembly
enhances sanitation by effectively eliminating any upwardly-facing,
contaminant-collecting trough in the strut and by effectively
eliminating contaminant-collecting threaded surfaces on the hangar
rod between the bracket and the base. According to some
embodiments, the support bracket assembly may comprise a seismic
adapter securing the hangar element to the base and first and
second lateral support members secured to the seismic adapter at an
acute angle to horizontal. The lateral support members have distal
ends secured to a building support member so to provide seismic
stability to the strut, the lateral support members also having
smooth outer surfaces to enhance sanitation.
[0008] A fourth aspect of the invention is directed to a method for
mounting a supported element to an overhead support. The method
includes selecting a trapeze type support assembly comprising a
strut, a support bracket assembly in a supported element fastener
assembly. The strut has a base, the base having an upper surface
and a lower surface, the strut also having first and second legs
extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower surface of the
base at angles of more than 180.degree. from the upper surface. The
support bracket assembly is secured to the base and comprises a
bracket, engageable with an overhead support, and a hangar element,
supported by the bracket and extending from the bracket to the base
with the hangar element secured to the base, the hangar element
having a smooth surface between the bracket and the base. The
supported element fastener assembly is securable to the base so to
secure a supported element to the upper surface of the base of the
strut. The strut is suspended from the overhead support with the
bracket secured to the overhead support and the hangar rod
connecting the strut to the bracket. The supported element is
secured to the upper surface of the base of the strut using the
supported element fastener assembly. Sanitation is enhanced by
effectively eliminating any upwardly-facing, contaminant-collecting
trough in the strut, and by effectively eliminating
contaminant-collecting threaded surfaces on the hangar rod between
the bracket and the base. Sanitation may also, in some embodiments,
be enhanced by eliminating any unused holes in the strut. According
to some embodiments, the support assembly selecting step may
comprise selecting a support bracket assembly comprising a seismic
adapter securing the hangar element to the base and first and
second lateral support members secured to the seismic adapter at
acute angles to horizontal, the lateral support members having
distal ends, the lateral support members also having smooth outer
surfaces to enhance sanitation. The strut is seismically supported
in such embodiments by securing the distal ends of the lateral
support members to a building support member.
[0009] Various features and advantages of the invention will appear
from the following description in which the preferred embodiments
have been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top view of a wall mounted type of support strut
assembly;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric assembly of the assembly of
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an end view of the wall-mounted strut of FIG.
1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view of trapeze type support strut
assembly;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a front view of the assembly of FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric assembly of the assembly of
FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 10 is an end view of the trapeze mount strut of FIG.
6;
[0020] FIGS. 11 and 12 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 3 of a
wall-mounted type of support strut assembly;
[0021] FIGS. 13 and 14 are views similar to FIGS. 6 and 8 of a
ceiling-mounted, trapeze type of support strut assembly; and
[0022] FIGS. 15-21 disclose a trapeze type of support strut
assembly designed for both enhanced cleanliness and seismic
stability.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] The following description of the invention will typically be
with reference to specific structural embodiments and methods. It
is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the
invention to the specifically disclosed embodiments but that the
invention may be practiced using other features, elements, methods
and embodiments.
[0024] The invention is directed to wall-mounted type of mounting
system and a trapeze type of mounting system typically used to
sanitarily mount pipes, conduits, and tubes to vertical and
horizontal surfaces in locations that require a high degree of
cleanliness. These mounting systems would typically be employed in,
for example, food processing and pharmaceutical installations.
[0025] In the past, these facilities have had only conventional
strut systems to mount their pipes, conduit, and tubes. This has
been a major food and drug safety problem, as conventional strut
systems are easily soiled, harbor contaminants, are difficult to
inspect, and difficult to clean.
[0026] Mounting systems made according to the invention are
typically configured for two general applications. When mounting
pipes, conduits, or tubes to a wall 10 (or other vertical or
generally vertical surface), the wall-mounted type of support strut
assembly 12 (shown in FIGS. 1-5) is preferred. The main components
of this assembly are wall mount strut 14 and multiple spacers 16.
The wall mount strut 14 may be punched and cold formed from 12
gauge T304 stainless steel sheet that is polished to a #4 sanitary
finish. Other materials and fabrication techniques may also be
used. The multiple punched holes 18 and slots 20 permit mounting of
the strut 14 to the wall 10 and pipes 22 to the strut in multiple
locations.
[0027] An important aspect of the invention is that the cross
section of the strut 14 has no horizontal surfaces (see FIG. 2).
Conventional struts typically have multiple horizontal surfaces.
The configuration of strut 14 is better than conventional strut, in
that is tends to shed falling contaminants downward, as opposed to
collecting them. The wall mount spacers 16 are typically machined
from solid 1'' diameter T304 stainless steel round bar. The spacers
16 preferably hold the strut 14 away from the wall 10 at a distance
of not less than 1''. Conventional strut systems typically mount
the strut directly to, that is in contact with, the wall. Assembly
12 is also better than conventional systems in that this gap 24
between the wall 10 and the back 26 of the strut 14 facilitates
inspection, cleaning, and allows falling contaminants and water
from wash downs to fall through this gap and downward. Conversely,
the back surface of conventional strut is mounted directly to the
wall and is therefore not easily inspectable or cleanable, and may
harbor filth and mildew. The pipes 22, conduits, or tubes are
preferably attached to the wall mount strut 14 with stainless steel
U-bolts 28 of minimum thread length, as threads are difficult to
clean. The entire assembly may be attached to the wall 10 with 3/8
diameter stainless steel wedge anchors 30 (see FIG. 4).
[0028] Strut 14 includes a central section 13 and end parts 15. The
end parts 15 preferably extend from the central section at angles
17, 19 of between about 100.degree.and 130.degree., and more
preferably about 115.degree.. Central section 13 preferably extends
at an angle to the horizontal of about 10.degree. to 40.degree.,
and more preferably about 25.degree.. End parts 15 and of a main
portion 21 and secondary, outer portions 23, the outer portions
preferably extending from the main portion at an angle of between
about 30.degree. and 60.degree., and more preferably about
45.degree..
[0029] To mount pipes 22, conduits, or tubes below a ceiling (or
other horizontal surfaces), the trapeze type of support strut
assembly 40 (shown in FIGS. 6-10) is preferred. The main components
of this assembly 40 are trapeze mount strut 42 and smooth hanger
rods 44. The trapeze mount strut 42 is punched and cold formed from
12 gauge T304 stainless steel sheet that is polished to a #4
sanitary finish. The multiple punched holes 46 and slots 48 permit
mounting of strut 42 to ceiling and pipes 22 to strut 42 in
multiple locations. In this embodiment strut 42 is an open
C-channel with legs 47 pointing downward. Conventional trapeze
struts are closed C-channels with hemmed legs that point upward.
Strut 42 has a base of 41 with upper and lower surfaces 43, 45 and
legs 47 extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower surface
at angles 49 of greater than 180.degree. from upper surface 43.
[0030] Assembly 40 is better than conventional strut systems, in
that the legs 47 of trapeze mount strut 42 are open, not hemmed,
and point downward, thus allowing easy inspection, cleaning, and
eliminates the upward facing troughs of conventional trapeze mount
struts that collect and hold contaminants. Conversely, conventional
trapeze mount installations have upward facing channels that trough
to hold falling debris, and wash down water. Their design is so
enclosed as to require disassembly for cleaning in some cases to
achieve an adequate level of sanitation.
[0031] The smooth hanger rods 44 are preferably fabricated from
T304 stainless steel schedule 80 pipe. They are tapped in each end
for 3/8'' national coarse threads, and the outer surface is
polished to a #4 sanitary finish. Conventional trapeze struts are
typically mounted with continuously threaded rod. Trapeze type of
support strut assembly 40 is better than conventional strut
assemblies because the smooth hanger rods 44 are easy to clean,
where as the outer surfaces of the conventional strut's
continuously threaded rods are so convoluted, that they are
extremely difficult to satisfactorily clean. The pipes, conduits
and tube are attached to the trapeze mount strut with the same
stainless steel, minimum thread U-bolts 28 used for wall mount
strut 14. The entire trapeze type of support strut assembly 40 is
typically attached to the ceiling, such as to ceiling member 52,
with L-brackets 50.
[0032] Overall, stainless steel strut assemblies 12, 40 provide a
means by which one can attach pipes, conduits, and tubes to
horizontal and vertical surfaces in a sanitary way. This level of
inspectability and cleanability is not provided by conventional
struts currently on the market.
[0033] FIGS. 11 and 12 are views similar to FIGS. 1 and 3 of a
wall-mounted type of support strut assembly with like references
referring to like elements. FIGS. 13 and 14 are views similar to
FIGS. 6 and 8 of a ceiling-mounted (or other overhead
structure-mounted) trapeze type of support strut assembly with like
reference numerals referring to like elements. In both embodiments
extra holes and slots have been eliminated from struts 12 and 42
with mounting hardware attached only where needed. The primary
advantage from the embodiments of FIGS. 11-14 is the elimination of
unnecessary holes, slots and other voids in struts 14, 42 to
further enhance sanitation. In the wall-mounted type of strut
assembly 12 of FIGS. 11-12, the supporting structure is secured to
the strut 14 by drilling holes in the strut, typically in the field
to obtain precise, proper placement, to accommodate wedge anchors
30 and U-bolts 28. With the trapeze type of strut assembly 40 of
FIGS. 13 and 14, holes are drilled in strut 42 to accommodate
hanger rods 44 and U-bolts 28. The mounting hardware is typically
mounted in the field by drilling holes in the struts or by welding,
or otherwise affixing, the mounting hardware for the tubes, pipes
or other conduits to the struts. Other techniques for affixing the
mounting hardware to the struts, such through the use of metal
strapping or clamps, may also be used. Although the embodiments of
FIGS. 11-14 typically require securing the mounting structure along
the strut in the field, there is a significant enhancement in the
level of sanitation available by eliminating unused holes opening
into the ambient environment. The lack of such unused holes not
only reduces the total surface area of the strut but also
eliminates areas in which dirt, debris and other contaminants can
collect.
[0034] FIGS. 15-21 disclose a still further embodiment of a trapeze
type of support strut assembly designed for both enhanced
cleanliness and seismic stability for the pipes, conduits and tubes
supported by the assembly. Seismically supported trapeze type of
support strut assembly 60 comprises a trapeze type strut 62,
similar to the trapeze type strut 42 of FIGS. 13 and 14, supported
by a stabilized support assembly 64. Assembly 64 comprises an
adapter assembly 66 to which pipes 68, 70 and 72 are threadably
mounted. The distal end 73 of each of pipes 68, 70, 72 are secured
to a an appropriate building support member 75, such as ceiling
member 52 for vertical support pipe 68, using an appropriate
bracket or other hardware.
[0035] The distal end adapter assembly 66 comprises a vertical
adapter 74 and two lateral adapters 76. Vertical adapter 74 has a
main, generally cynical body 78 having an open bore 80
therethrough. Open bore 80 has a threaded end 82 adjacent to strut
62 and a pipe threaded end 84. A bolt 85, see FIG. 17, is passed
upwardly through a hole formed in strut 62 and into threaded end 82
to secure vertical adapter 74 to strut 62. Vertical support pipe 68
is secured to pipe thread end 84 and provides the main vertical
support for strut 62.
[0036] Lateral adapters 76 are mounted to laterally extending lugs
86 of vertical adapter 74 by nut and bolt assemblies 88. Assemblies
88 act as pivots to permit lateral support pipes 70, 72 to extend
at appropriate angles from adapter assembly 66. Lateral adapters 76
have pipe threaded openings 90 to which lateral support pipes 72,
74 are mounted. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, each of the lateral
support pipes 70, 72 extends laterally away from adapter assembly
66 at an angle to both the vertical and horizontal. Lateral support
pipes 66, 70, 72 are preferably secured to the building or other
support structure housing the pipes, tubes or conduits and being
supported by strut 62, so that during any seismic event relative
movement between the support structure and strut 62 is reduced or
minimized.
[0037] Other modification and variation can be made to the
disclosed embodiments without departing from the subject of the
invention as defined in following claims.
[0038] Any and all patents, patent applications and printed
publications referred to above are incorporated by reference.
* * * * *